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Background: Physical activity (PA) and nutrition in children have an impact on overall physical and mental well-being, cognitive, and social development. This study aims to report on the best current available evidence on PA, body composition proxies, and nutritional status of South African children and adolescents, based on the published findings between 2018 and 2022, which comprise the 2022 Healthy Active Kids South Africa Report Card. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of online databases, along with hand searching and a gray literature search, was conducted based on PA, body composition proxies, and nutrition indicators defined, in part, by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. Results: Compared with the 2018 report card, there was an improvement in the majority of PA indicators which include overall PA (B–), active transportation (B–), physical fitness (B–), and government policy and programs (C). Body composition proxies and most of the nutrition indicators remained unchanged. The indicators that regressed from 2018 to 2022 included community and environmental influences (D), as well as participation in organized sport (D–). Conclusions: Despite the apparent improvement in overall PA levels in children and adolescents, there is a lack of tangible evidence of actual implementation of policies and programs. There was also a lack of nationally representative data for most indicators. Overall, there is a need to identify intersectoral, equitable approaches for promoting PA and healthy eating in South African children and adolescents and ongoing monitoring and surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I present a sociological approach to the problem of meaningful work that dwells on its broad social and cultural sources, as opposed to the focus on subjective and organizational factors currently prevailing in the field. Specifically, I consider two sociological perspectives, those of community and autonomy, as important conceptual tools for understanding the ambivalent character of modern culture in providing individuals with a sense of meaningfulness of their activities. I also review some of the existing research on meaningful work and interpret it through this conceptual distinction, both to show the latter's relevance for the field and to identify the gaps it might help fill. As a result, based on the sociological perspectives, I propose a general conceptual model and discuss five directions to further advance the theoretical comprehension of meaningful work, and I suggest some implications of these perspectives for normative business ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though recent waves of large-scale street protests have not directly targeted the business sector, they can still represent a major development in a company's external environment. Building on the literature on community embeddedness, this study extends activism-as-information theory to understand how and when companies respond to street protests that take place in their communities. We argue that for business leaders, the scale of protests serves as an information update regarding the changing relevance of the protested social issue in a community. Using data from 2017 to 2020 on Women's March protests in the United States, we show that the scale of street protests in local communities is associated with the likelihood of subsequent female director appointments for corporations headquartered in those communities: larger-scale protests are associated with a higher likelihood of such appointments. Further, we show that this response to proximal protests is heightened for protests that occur in local communities least aligned with the protest movement and for companies least internally aligned with the protest goals. Our theory and findings extend research on social movements in markets, showing how and why organizations respond to diffuse community protests, and they enrich corporate governance research on the roles of communities and stakeholders in shaping board composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A promising strategy to increase population physical activity is through promotion of dog walking. Informed by multi-process action control and nascent dog-walking theory, we examined the effectiveness of a 3-month technology-based (dog tracker) 2-arm randomised controlled dog-walking intervention to increase dog-owner daily physical activity in the general community in Sydney, Australia. Results: 37 participants were allocated to the intervention group (mean age = 43.2 [SD 11.9]) and 40 to the control group (mean age = 42.3 [SD 11.9]). Both groups averaged more than 10,500 steps/day at baseline. There was no evidence of within- or between-group physical activity differences across timepoints. The results remained consistent after exclusion of participants who had data collected during COVID-19 lockdowns. Compared with baseline, both groups had significant increases in sedentary time during the post-intervention, and 6 month follow-up. The absence of significant differences between-group physical activity differences may be attributable to the ceiling effect of both groups already being sufficiently active. These results provide useful guidance to future studies intended to assess the efficacy of technology-based dog-walking interventions. Future dog-walking interventions should specifically target physically inactive dog owners. Trial Registration: ACTRN12619001391167 (10/10/2019); Retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To map and summarise available literature on the effectiveness or other benefits of group- and individual-based interventions provided for adults living with stroke or ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in the community. Material and Methods: The review was conducted based on JBI methodology and reported using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Articles were retrieved from: Medline, PsychInfo, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL from 2002–2022. Extracted data from eligible studies included type of health outcomes (e.g., impairments), retention and adherence, social connectedness, and the costs associated with group- and individual-based interventions. Results: After screening, five articles (representing 4 unique studies) comparing a group- and individual-based intervention were included (total sample size n = 87). Three types of interventions were assessed: exercise (3/5), communication (1/5), and occupational therapy (1/5). Effectiveness of group- and individual-based interventions at improving health outcomes (i.e. physical ability, communication, motivation, and quality of life) is unclear. Currently there is insufficient evidence to guide clinical practice. Conclusions: There is limited evidence comparing interventions delivered in a group and individual modality for adults living with stroke or IHD. Adequately powered studies are needed to determine if mode of delivery is equivalent or more cost effective. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Rehabilitation interventions can be offered individually or in group settings with clinicians choosing the most appropriate modality. Both group- and individual-based interventions have advantages and disadvantages, with clinical, practical, and economic factors as important considerations when deciding between the two modalities. Based on this scoping review, the authors conclude that there is currently insufficient evidence to guide clinical practice in deciding which mode of delivery (group or individual) is optimal. There is insufficient research evidence to guide clinicians in their choice between offering rehabilitation interventions for stroke or IHD in groups or individually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are challenging to use for diagnosing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in large populations, and there is an urgent need for new blood biomarkers. The aim of this study is to investigate whether astrocyte activation is correlated with hippocampal atrophy, and to assess the potential of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as a biomarker for diagnosing MCI among community-dwelling older individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 107 older adults. The levels of GFAP in serum were measured, and the volumetric assessment of gray matter within hippocampal subregions was conducted using Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM). The relationship between hippocampal subregion volume and blood biomarkers were analyzed using partial correlation. The effectiveness of blood biomarkers in differentiating MCI was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: We found that serum GFAP levels were significantly elevated in the MCI group compared to the cognitively normal (CN) group. Additionally, individuals with MCI exhibited a reduction gray matter volume in specific hippocampal subregions. Notably, the right dentate gyrus (DG) and right cornu ammonis (CA) subregions were found to be effective for distinguishing MCI patients from CN individuals. Serum levels of GFAP demonstrate a sensitivity of 65.9% and a specificity of 75.6% in differentiating patients with MCI from CN individuals. Conclusion: Specific atrophy within hippocampal subregions has been observed in the brains of community-dwelling elderly individuals. Elevated levels of circulating GFAP may serve as a sensitive peripheral biomarker indicative of hippocampal-specific cognitive alterations in patients with MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The U.S. opioid crisis, resulting in nearly 500,000 deaths from 1999 to 2019, has been exacerbated by persistent stigma, which hinders treatment and recovery efforts. This stigma, whether structural, social, or self-imposed, challenges overdose prevention and recovery. Our study aimed to assess and compare levels of stigma towards opioid users among rural law enforcement officers (LEOs) and community members in Tennessee, highlighting rural community-level attitudes. Methods: Methods involved surveying two groups: LEOs (N=48) and community members (N=393). Utilizing a Likert Scale based on prior research, the survey probed attitudes toward drug use across four stigma domains: dangerousness, blame, social distancing, and fatalism. Analysis employed standardized scoring and ANOVA for evaluating stigma differences by participant characteristics. Results: LEOs (75%) and community members (51.7%) predominantly identify drug users as white, with varied perceptions regarding socioeconomic status and employment. Despite similar perceptions, normalized stigma scores revealed statistical differences between groups across stigma domains. ANOVA found no significant impact of participant type or gender on stigma levels, though race/ethnicity and its interaction with gender suggested potential influences on overall stigma score. Conclusions: Both LEOs and community members in rural Tennessee hold measurable stigma against opioid users, spanning dangerousness, blame, social distancing, and fatalism domains. These insights highlight the need for further research into both professional and public attitudes toward individuals with opioid or other substance use disorders within shared communities. This research should aim to develop specific stigma-reducing interventions that target both providers and community members. Highlights: Explores rural drug-use stigma, comparing officer and community views. Urgency for anti-stigma interventions in rural areas with high overdose incidence. Both officers and the community in rural Tennessee show drug-use stigma across four domains: dangerousness, blame, social distance, and fatalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is pivotal in mitigating end-of-life suffering and ensuring healthcare congruence with the values of older adults and dignity in death. Despite its paramount importance, the current readiness for ACP among community-dwelling older adults and the intricate influencing factors have yet to be explored. Objective: To review the literature focusing on ACP readiness among community-dwelling older adults and the influencing factors. Methods: A scoping review conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework. Electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science, PsycINFO), as well as grey literature databases (OpenGrey and GreyLit.org) were searched to identify studies published in English between January 2012 and March 2023. Results: 19 studies were selected, comprising 3 qualitative, 13 quantitative, 2 mixed-methods, and 1 review article. The study evaluated the readiness of older adults for ACP by examining their knowledge and attitudes. It categorizes influencing factors into intrinsic and extrinsic levels. This review revealed that the knowledge about ACP among older adults across all settings was limited. However, they had positive attitudes toward it. In addition, intrinsic factors including sociodemographic characteristics, psychological factors, and family relationships, along with extrinsic factors including health care professionals' attitudes and experience, as well as policies and laws, influenced the ACP readiness among older adults. Conclusions: This study established the groundwork for future ACP intervention trials, providing a theoretical framework to guide their design and implementation. operationalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biology Teaching is the property of East China Normal University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In mental health promotion, recovery is a process that leads to personal strengthening, control over crucial life decisions, and participation in communities through relevant professional, educational, or family social roles. Co-production, a key aspect of the recovery-oriented approach, emphasizes collaboration and active participation of people with mental health first-hand experience, family members, and citizens. Even though studies on co-production are limited and fragmented, there is evidence that co-production leads to positive outcomes, including improved well-being, empowerment, social connectedness, inclusion, and personal competencies. This study aimed to contribute to the limited literature on co-production in mental health by evaluating the co-production process in a non-profit mental health organization and its impact on empowerment processes and personal recovery outcomes. The research team adopted a collaborative approach and conducted qualitative research, including 13 individual semi-structured interviews and four focus groups. Results showed how the different dimensions of empowerment are promoted in and by the organization: (a) co-production processes supported empowered outcomes on an individual level, such as self-awareness; (b) the organization was perceived to promote empowering processes, such as a sense of safeness and protection; (c) co-production was a mean to build and maintain a network with mental health services that acknowledges the dignity and value of each subjectivity and promotes participation and recovery. Peer support workers were seen as facilitators of mental illness management, and the organization as a place for sharing mental health experiences and fostering individual recovery journeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many community organizations offering services to people with disabilities (PWD) changed their service delivery, switching from in-person to remote services. However, little is known about what it was like for organizations to quickly pivot their service delivery. The study explored barriers and facilitators to access community services for PWD and identified potential improvements to these services. Methods: The study used a mixed method, multiple case study design, which included a convenience sample of 27 participants recruited from four community organizations delivering services to PWD. Participating staff and members participated in six different focus groups and completed a questionnaire about their level of satisfaction regarding the evolution of the services. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted on the focus group data and the data from the questionnaires were descriptively analyzed. Results: The thematic analyses revealed four themes: "Succeeding in adapting the interventions to continue providing services", "Enjoying a lot of new things about the new online modality", "Key elements that have facilitated the transition" and "Facing some difficulties implementing online services". The median satisfaction score demonstrated that the participants were satisfied with the services. The success of these organizational changes relied on the adoption of new methods and approaches to service delivery. Conclusion: Through this study, barriers and facilitators that the organizations and their beneficiaries have experienced during the pandemic were identified as well as suggestions for improvement. The organizations consider maintaining online services beyond the pandemic to offer PWD easier access to community services. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: People with disabilities and professionals were satisfied with online community services developed during the pandemic. Individual with disabilities were more satisfied about the accessibility and the way of delivering online services than the staff. Facilitators for online service delivery included the choice of low-risk services to offer to their members, the use of the Zoom platform to deliver the service and the flexibility of the internal organization. Barriers to online service delivery included challenges related to communication, both among members and between staff and members, composing with a small screen for the staff and the members and for organizations to reach all their members – especially the oldest ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mental health remains an unmet need among Chinese Americans. This study aims to identify specific needs and strategies that may address the needs. Design: A total of 55 Chinese Americans consented and participated in online focus groups conducted in either Chinese or English using nominal group technique. Participants discussed the following questions, achieved themes, and provided ranking of themes in importance for each: (1) In general, what do people in the Chinese American community think about mental health or emotional well-being? (2) What have you found to be helpful for accessing mental health or emotional well-being services or care in the Chinese American population? And (3) What actions would you suggest to improve mental health and emotional well-being in the Chinese American population? Results: Across the focus groups, we observed high consistency of top ranked themes including lack of knowledge and awareness, negative impression, lack of Chinese-speaking providers, and that the most helpful factor toward access to care was education and increased awareness. Seminars and trainings was the top actionable suggestion. Conclusion: The findings are consistent with previous findings and continue to show that Chinese Americans need more education and training and that providers who can speak the language and understand the culture would be very helpful to increase access to care. This study emphasizes addressing mental health disparities in the Chinese American community through awareness, tailored interventions, and barrier removal. Promoting equal access also underscores the need for ongoing assessment and responsive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article identifies an emerging form of sanction for addressing environmental harm: the environmental enforceable undertaking (EEU). Currently used for environmental protection in Australia and the UK, the EEU is a cooperative, timely, and accountable regulatory instrument targeted at encouraging offenders to voluntarily invest in repairing and preventing harm, frequently going beyond basic regulatory compliance. We identify four regulatory objectives met by EEUs (strategic; responsive; deterrent; and preventative) before discussing how EEUs might contribute to the environmental regulation landscape, exploring examples primarily from Australia, but also the UK. Finally, we discuss how EEUs can benefit not only the regulator and regulated but can also involve the community in environmental regulation. We then assert a fifth regulatory objective: they can serve as a restorative form of regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the framework of sustainability analysis regarding the processes developed by man, water resources in rural scenarios have been a priority due to the impact generated by population growth and climate changes in tropical regions. In Colombia, the shortage of drinking water from aqueducts has become a problem especially in rural areas, even though its administration has been set and led by local community organizations. In this sense, in this research, the aim was to understand the dynamics of sustainable livelihoods in rural areas and their relationship with water resources in Boyacá, Colombia. For this purpose, surveys were carried out in two rural aqueducts in the municipalities of Boyacá and Oicatá paying special attention to the variables that affect human, social, technical, physical, natural, and financial capital. According to the results, the water supplied by community organizations directly affects the daily activities of family units, as well as the agricultural production systems. In addition, significant relationships were identified between human and financial capital, as well as social and technical capital; however, population increment and the accentuation of dry seasons have become a threat in these regions in Colombia. In conclusion, the analysis of the work developed by the organizations of rural aqueducts allows us to understand that water plays a fundamental role in the construction of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay utilises a series of oral history interviews conducted with women in West Belfast to consider the role of community nostalgia and transgenerational trauma within the post-accord landscape. It argues that nostalgia should not be dismissed as an unreliable assessor of historic communality and instead highlights its importance in understanding post-conflict community atomisation. Equally, it advocates for an understanding that nostalgic sentiments can co-exist alongside traumatic recollections and understandings of generational traumas. The simultaneous expression of these dichotomous feelings reveals the intricacies of women's collective remembrance, and the continued impact of historic traumas on present-day communities in West Belfast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of sustainable peace and development in Africa faces numerous challenges, including persistent conflicts, economic instability, and social fragmentation even though sustainable peace is a panacea for growth and advancement. This paper explores the transformative potential of Igwebuike, an indigenous Igbo-African philosophy, as a framework for addressing these challenges. Igwebuike, meaning “there is strength in unity,” emphasizes communal harmony, collective strength, and mutual support. By analyzing its philosophical foundations and practical applications, this study illustrates how Igwebuike can enhance conflict resolution, promote inclusive development, and strengthen social cohesion. Case studies from different African contexts were employed to demonstrate the successful integration of Igwebuike principles in fostering community-driven initiatives and sustainable resource management. Despite modern challenges such as increasing individualism and cultural shifts, Igwebuike offers a culturally resonant approach to peace-building and development. This paper argues that embracing Igwebuike can provide African nations with innovative and effective strategies for achieving long-term stability and prosperity for all. The descriptive and analytic methods were utilized to sustain this research; recommendations were made and the researcher held by way of conclusion that the principles of Igwebuike can enhance conflict resolution, promote sustainable development, and strengthen social welfare systems, paving the way for a more harmonious and prosperous future for the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Continue Education Research is the property of Harbin Normal University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nigeria accounts for a substantial cholera burden globally, particularly in its northeast region, where insurgency is persistent and widespread. We used participatory group model building workshops to explore enablers and barriers to implementing known cholera interventions, including water, sanitation and hygiene, surveillance and laboratory, case management, community engagement, oral cholera vaccine, and leadership and coordination, as well as exploring leverage points for interventions and collaboration. The study engaged key cholera stakeholders in the northeastern States of Adamawa and Bauchi, as well as national stakeholders in Abuja. Adamawa and Bauchi States' group modes building participants comprised 49 community members and 43 healthcare providers, while the 23 national participants comprised government ministry, department and agency staff, and development partners. Data were analysed thematically and validated via consultation with selected participants. The study identified four overarching themes regarding the enablers and barriers to implementing cholera interventions: (1) political will, (2) health system resources and structures, (3) community trust and culture, and (4) spill-over effect of COVID-19. Specifically, inadequate political will exerts its effect directly (e.g. limited funding for prepositioning essential cholera supplies) or indirectly (e.g. overlapping policies) on implementing cholera interventions. The healthcare system structure (e.g. centralization of cholera management in a State capital) and limited surveillance tools weaken the capacity to implement cholera interventions. Community trust emerges as integral to strengthening the healthcare system's resilience in mitigating the impacts of cholera outbreaks. Lastly, the spill-over effects of COVID-19 helped promote interventions similar to cholera (e.g. water, sanitation and hygiene) and directly enhanced political will. In conclusion, the study offers insights into the complex barriers and enablers to implementing cholera interventions in Nigeria's cholera-endemic settings. Strong political commitment, strengthening the healthcare system, building community trust and an effective public health system can enhance the implementation of cholera interventions in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the fast-paced climate of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the official responses suffered from major inconsistencies and dysfunctions, volunteers and civil society activists initiated a range of strategies to monitor, gather, and disseminate risk information, going beyond the traditional top-down and expert-led interpretation of and approaches to risk mitigation. The current paper draws on growing scholarly recognition that official or government-led responses to disasters can often cause further risks, harms, and inequalities in communities (the "second disaster"), sparking community-based action to monitor and tackle such risks and harms. In so doing, it seeks to bridge the conversation between two distinct yet interrelated fields of community-based early warning systems and community-based monitoring of public goods. Drawing on an exploratory scoping review of peer-reviewed and gray literature, the paper examines the functioning of community-based monitoring of official responses to COVID-19 globally. Our analysis distinguishes four functions served by community-based monitoring: (1) tackling misinformation to enable the public to take protective action; (2) improving access to health services through service monitoring; (3) exposing and challenging misuse and abuse of authority; and (4) spearheading inquiries and probes to hold governments to account. Possibilities and limitations of such collective action are discussed in light of what we know from disaster risk reduction (DRR) scholarship. The paper concludes by recasting the focus on risk, taking it beyond the conventional realm of disaster preparedness and mitigation to cover early response and recovery, while drawing the DRR community's attention to the risk of violation of rights in the name of disaster response. It underscores the role of community-based monitoring in the wake of emergencies as an evidence-driven early warning system, raising the possibility of developing a more democratic and inclusive understanding of risk and protecting and promoting the rights of those who face the disproportionate burden of disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic condition caused by a lack of paternally‐expressed imprinted genes at chromosome 15q11.2‐q13 and characterized by hyperphagia, behavioral challenges, and variable intellectual disability. Once a PWS diagnosis is established, sharing diagnosis information with an affected child can be challenging due to its early age of onset and diverse phenotype. This mixed‐methods study aimed to evaluate how parents and guardians have shared a PWS diagnosis with their child and examine the motivating and influencing factors behind their disclosure. Parents and guardians of children with PWS aged at least 5 years completed a survey, and a select group completed an interview. A total of 51 surveys and 15 interviews were completed, with the majority of participants (n = 46; 90%) having shared at least some diagnosis information with their child. Parents and guardians were more likely to disclose if they self‐reported a higher level of knowledge about PWS (p = 0.004) and if their child is currently older (p = 0.02) and/or has at least one sibling (p = 0.046). Interview analysis revealed 15 themes and 10 subthemes that illustrated parents' motivations, methods, and experiences with disclosure. This research provides information for others considering disclosure of PWS or another rare diagnosis with their child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined one calendar year of Facebook posts by 10 AZA accredited zoos to compare how often zoos mention small, large, and government conservation agencies. Findings include no significant difference in the amount of posts by zoos mentioning small organizations as opposed to large conservation agencies. This is due to uncovering that zoos mention conservation agencies in posts less than 5% of the time. This study recommends zoos post about conservation work more frequently and that conservation organizations request this from their zoo partners. Furthermore, every zoo sampled mentions conservation and guest engagement in their mission statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many women experiencing homelessness and intimate partner violence (IPV) often do not use formal support services due to barriers such as finances, inaccessibility, controlling partners, and stigma. The current literature lacks studies that examine the formal service experiences of women who have undergone both homelessness and IPV. Therefore, the current study used a qualitative-dominant design and explored the formal service needs of these women, barriers and facilitating factors associated with accessing services, and how the women's identities affected their experiences with formal services. Interviews with 10 women were conducted, and a reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using a critical feminist and intersectionality lens. The most common factors that led to homelessness were conflict and precarious circumstances leading to housing instability. Common barriers were systemic, psychological, dismissal, minimization, and financial barriers. The most common needs were health, finances, and basic necessities. The most common facilitating factors were support networks and resilience, growth, and proactivity. The social positionings most commonly affecting their experiences were class and race/ethnicity. These findings highlighted the voices of marginalized women and can be used to implement positive change in formal services that cater to this subgroup of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the mediatory role of nature connectedness between tree visibility through windows and mental wellbeing, we conducted a questionnaire survey and examined the mediation effect using both cross-sectional and semi-longitudinal mediation models. We evaluated nature connectedness using the Inclusion of Nature in Self (INS) scale and the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) and measured mental wellbeing using the WHO-5 wellbeing index. Our results showed that participants who could see at least three trees through their windows reported higher levels of both nature connectedness and mental wellbeing compared to those without such visibility. Nature connectedness significantly mediated the relationship between the visibility of trees through windows and mental wellbeing, albeit with a somewhat limited effect. More broadly, this study provides additional evidence in support of the "3" component of the 3-30-300 "rule" for equitable access to greenspace in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social sciences and humanities have become increasingly critical of the anthropocentrism that supports exploitative relations with the non‐human domain. This shift in positionality recognises that non‐human beings and ecosystems are not humankind's passive subjects but the co‐creators of shared lifeworlds. A logical consequence is a greater appreciation of the rights and interests of non‐human beings and ecosystems, both in law and in the decision‐making processes that shape human‐environmental relations. This requires some form of pan‐species democracy that simultaneously respects biocultural diversity. Drawing on ethnographic research on the River Stour in Dorset, this paper considers how we might reimagine the notion of community to encompass human and non‐human inhabitants in river catchment areas. It considers what 'speaking for the river' would entail, and what a river might want to say. Employing anthropological approaches to art and material culture, examining 'what things do', and the multi‐species ethnography that illuminates interspecies relations, this requires an imaginative leap, not into faux animism, but into serious consideration of the river as an active partner in human‐non‐human relations. This requires us to understand the river's properties and behaviours, and how it acts both creatively and destructively upon all of the living kinds that depend upon it—and vice versa. What does a river need to ensure its own flourishing and that of its dependent communities? This paper considers how 'listening to the river' enables the representation of its needs and interests in decision‐making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with intellectual disabilities commonly experience multiple barriers to 'going out'. Aims: This paper explores what barriers prevented people from going out, and if the extent and nature of going out changed over time for people with intellectual disabilities as the COVID‐19 pandemic progressed. Methods: Data are drawn from a wider study that explored, at four time points, the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities through the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Findings: The number of people leaving the house for almost all reasons increased over time through the pandemic, except for some outdoor participation and exercise. However, there was a significant decrease in outdoor exercise at the final time point of the study. Reliance on other people and a lack of availability of support were identified as barriers. Conclusion: A combination of factors restricted the extent to which people were going out even after COVID‐19 protections were lifted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to identify and rank social factors effective in transforming Iran's public libraries into social centers and develop a conceptual model. This is a mixed research conducted with a systematic grounded theory approach. Four effective community factors in transforming public libraries into community centers were identified: 1. promotion of social activities, 2. participation of public groups, 3. awareness of the community situation, and 4. promotion of community skills. By applying the theory of the public sphere, public libraries can inform people about government decisions and facilitate public debate between the government and citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I will examine the functions of oaths in narratives of encounter, confrontation and polemic between religious communities in late antiquity, especially Jews and Christians. Through an analysis of these narratives, I hope to show that oaths had several functions: specific oath formulae were strongly associated with specific religious identities, and as such could be used to highlight distance between religious groups. However, oaths could be used to demonstrate the permeability of religious boundaries, or even be deployed cunningly to conceal one's identity or subvert expectations of its performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we highlight an underdiscussed element of field work: reciprocal community requests—requests from community to engage beyond conducting ethical research and to support a community's own work. We draw from our own fieldwork in New Orleans, LA, Camden, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA, to make these requests visible and discuss their importance. We find that these reciprocal requests extend far beyond consideration of rigorous research or an ethics of consent. We discuss our framework of how to answer these requests, drawing from abolition principles of (1) Participatory Partnership, (2) Finding Shared Values, (3) Sharing Risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The CDC reported a 35% increase in hospital-onset (HO) carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated patient outcomes following HO and community-onset (CO) CRE bloodstream infections (BSI). Methods Patients prospectively enrolled in CRACKLE-2 from 56 hospitals in 10 countries between 30 April 2016 and 30 November 2019 with a CRE BSI were eligible. Infections were defined as CO or HO by CDC guidelines, and clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared. The primary outcome was desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) 30 days after index culture. Difference in 30-day mortality was calculated with 95% CI. Results Among 891 patients with CRE BSI, 65% were HO (582/891). Compared to those with CO CRE, patients with HO CRE were younger [median 60 (Q1 42, Q3 70) years versus 65 (52, 74); P  < 0.001], had fewer comorbidities [median Charlson comorbidity index 2 (1, 4) versus 3 (1, 5); P  = 0.002] and were more acutely ill (Pitt bacteraemia score ≥4: 47% versus 32%; P  < 0.001). The probability of a better DOOR outcome in a randomly selected patient with CO BSI compared to a patient with HO BSI was 60.6% (95% CI: 56.8%–64.3%). Mortality at 30-days was 12% higher in HO BSI (192/582; 33%) than CO BSI [66/309 (21%); P  < 0.001]. Conclusion We found a disproportionately greater impact on patient outcomes with HO compared to CO CRE BSIs; thus, the recently reported increases in HO CRE infections by CDC requires rigorous surveillance and infection prevention methods to prevent added mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although a significant number of cases of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) are managed at non-referral community hospitals, the impact of a bundle-of-care intervention in this setting has not yet been explored. Methods We performed a quasi-experimental before–after study with the implementation of a bundle of care for the management of SAB at five non-referral community hospitals and a tertiary care university hospital. Structured recommendations for the five indicators selected to assess quality of care were provided to investigators before the implementation of the bundle and monthly thereafter. Primary endpoints were adherence to the bundle intervention and treatment failure, defined as death or relapse at 90 days of follow-up. Results One hundred and seventy patients were included in the pre-intervention period and 103 in the intervention period. Patient characteristics were similar in both periods. Multivariate analysis controlling for potential confounders showed that performance of echocardiography was the only factor associated with improved adherence to the bundle in the intervention period (adjusted OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.13–4.02). Adherence to the bundle, performance of follow-up blood cultures, and adequate duration of antibiotic therapy for complicated SAB presented non-significant improvements. The intervention was not associated with a lower rate of 90 day treatment failure (OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.70–1.77). Conclusions A bundle-of-care intervention for the management of SAB at non-referral community hospitals increased adherence to quality indicators, but did not significantly reduce rates of 90 day mortality or relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to enhance our understanding of shared community oral history stewardship by exploring its practices and challenges from the perspectives of the stakeholders involved. Design/methodology/approach: This study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews with community oral history stewards. Each interview focused on their experiences and perspectives regarding community-based oral history projects. The interview data were transcribed and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings: Community oral history stewards found oral history stewardship entails substantial effort, long-term commitment, and challenges. They concurred on the importance of partnerships between communities and archives in preserving community stories, with institutional archives providing valuable support, resources, and engagement beyond mere preservation platforms. Establishing trust between communities and archives emerged as a fundamental requirement for fruitful collaboration. Originality/value: Community oral history has stood out as the prevailing form within the theory and practice of oral history, but its shared stewardship practices have not been thoroughly explored from the stakeholders' viewpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While prior research suggests that ventures not yet present in a given geographic community might threaten reflective aspects of community identity (i.e. materiality and rhetoric), it has yet to explain the divergent outcomes they might engender. In this article, we develop a comparative case study of communities where recreational cannabis dispensaries were founded and underlaid a noticeably different effect on identity reflections. Our findings suggest that different threat interpretations—founded in communal characterizations of history—spur theoretically similar yet descriptively different processes through which these elements co-evolve. Furthermore, these processes involve a wide range of actors and occur irrespective of the venture's ultimate influence on reflections of community identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sleep deprivation is common among children and schools are ideal settings in which to influence children's sleep. Children spend a significant amount of time at school during key developmental periods, and programmes that influence students' well-being also benefit academic achievement. Comprehensive School Health (CSH) is an approach that prioritises school, home and community partnerships by supporting the development of health behaviours. However, sleep is often unaddressed in the school environment. The objective of this study was to integrate multiple partner perspectives to inform how to strengthen school-based sleep promotion using a CSH approach. Design: A secondary qualitative analysis of student aged 9–11 (n = 45), parent/guardian (n = 24) and teacher (n = 19) interviews from participants representing elementary (Kindergarten – Grade 6) schools and communities in Alberta, Canada was conducted. Data were examined using an a priori framework in alignment with the four components of the CSH approach: social and physical environment, teaching and learning, policy and partnerships and services. Inductive content analysis was used to develop categories followed by subthemes within each CSH component. Results: Subthemes identified within each component were as follows: social and physical environment (culture of healthy sleep habits; students influence each other); teaching and learning (formally integrate sleep-specific learning into curricula; school, teacher and parents/guardian collaboration); policy (sleep-positive classroom policies) and partnerships and services (community partnerships; school–home collaboration). Conclusion: This research identifies recommendations from student, parent/guardian and teacher interviews to inform and strengthen school-based sleep promotion when taking a CSH approach. Findings can support school partner efforts to foster a school culture (or ethos) of healthy sleep habits leading to improvements in student sleep behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of AIDS & Behavior is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Effect assessments of metals are mostly based on single‐metal, single‐species tests, thereby ignoring metal‐mixture effects and indirect effects through species interactions. We tested the combined effects of metal and species interactions in two‐trophic algal–daphnid microcosms. Metal‐mixture effects on daphnid communities may propagate from effects on the generally more sensitive algal communities. Four different algal communities (three species each), with and without addition of the same daphnid community (three species) were exposed to single metals and one metal mixture (17:17:51 µg/L Ni:Cu:Zn). Daphnid densities were negatively affected by metals in the two‐trophic test, the magnitude of which depended on the algal community composition. Algal densities were overall positively affected by the metals in the two‐trophic test but negatively in the single‐trophic test, illustrating an indirect positive effect in the two‐trophic system due to a reduced grazing pressure. Metal effects on daphnid communities in the two‐trophic test (day 21) were correlated with metal effects on the single‐trophic–level algal communities during exponential growth (R2 = 0.55, p = 0.0011). This finding suggests that metal effects propagate across trophic levels due to a reduced food quantity. However, the indirect positive effects on algal densities, resulting in abundant food quantity, suggests that metal effects can also propagate to daphnids due to a reduced food quality (not measured directly). Metal‐mixture interactions on daphnid densities varied during exposure, but were additive or antagonistic relative to independent action when final daphnid densities were considered (day 56). This suggests stronger indirect effects of the mixture compared with the single metals. Overall, our study highlights the dynamic aspect of community‐level effects, which empirical reference models such as independent action or concentration addition cannot predict. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2350–2364. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions between restaurant operators, policy makers and other stakeholders during COVID-19 were examined to identify the actions that contributed the most to the restaurant industry's efforts to ensure continuity and build resilience. Thematic analysis of media articles and in-depth interviews with restaurant operators were used to analyze the restaurant industry's response to the crisis in real time. Findings showed that customer loyalty and supplier goodwill played a crucial role in building resilience. Government subsidies preserved a critical aspect of customer loyalty, namely interpersonal relationships between guests and frontline service staff. The technology sector provided education and services at reduced or no cost, effectively speeding up the digitalization of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the complex interplay of gender and other demographics on continuation rates in high school physics. Using a diverse dataset that combines demographics from the Canadian Census and eleven years of gendered enrolment data from the Ontario Ministry of Education, we track student cohorts as they transition from mandatory science to elective physics courses. We then employ hierarchical linear modelling to quantify the interaction effects between gender and other demographics, providing a detailed perspective on the on continuation in physics. Our results indicate the racial demographics of a school's neighbourhood have a limited impact on continuation once controlling for other factors such as socioeconomic status, though neighbourhoods with a higher Black population were a notable exception, consistently exhibiting significantly lower continuation rates for both male and female students. A potential role model effect related to parental education was also found as the proportion of parents with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees correlates positively with increased continuation rates, whereas an increase in non-STEM degrees corresponds with a reduced student continuation rate. The most pronounced effects are school-level factors. Continuation rates in physics are very strongly correlated with continuation in chemistry or calculus — effects that much stronger for male than female students. Conversely, continuation in biology positively correlates with the continuation of female students in physics, with little to no effect found for male students. Nevertheless, the effect sizes observed for chemistry and calculus markedly outweigh that for biology. This is further evidence that considering STEM as a homogeneous subject when examining gender disparities is misguided. These insights can guide future education policies and initiatives to increase continuation rates and foster greater gender equity and inclusivity in physics education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory-friendly time (SFT) events modify community environments and activities to improve leisure participation for children with sensory processing differences, and are becoming increasingly popular. However, little evidence exists examining if SFT events successfully support community engagement for this population. An urban university and neighboring children's museum designed multi-sensory SFT events for the community. This study explored what types and intensities of multi-sensory activities predicted behavioral responses from children with atypical sensory processing. A Child Engagement Observation Log documented activity interaction, affect, responsivity (arousal) and emotional response of children participating in SFT activities. Poisson regression models determined if sensory properties (sensory domain and intensity) of different activities significantly predicted observable behavior. Activities with a medium sound intensity, sight intensity and level of complexity; medium intensity of sight, touch, and complexity; and medium levels of movement and complexity were significant predictors of behaviors (p<.05). Results can guide future community SFT programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local organizations constitute a significant share of the social safety net for immigrants in the United States. It is well documented that these organizations provide political, social, and economic integration while also helping immigrants to stay connected to their cultures and countries of origin. Less is known, however, about how immigrants actively shape these organizations. Through a study of cultural programming at neighborhood library branches in Boston, Massachusetts, this research examines how local organizations can be sources of support for immigrants as well as sites in which immigrants can serve as community assets. In addition to traditional cultural programs, neighborhood branches host immigrant-led cultural programs, which are notable in how they (1) fulfill needs that are identified and met by immigrants, (2) represent diverse cultures through the eyes of immigrants, (3) do outreach in and reach immigrant communities, and (4) bridge local immigrant and native-born populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Urban Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.) is the property of Sage Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Rhizosphere bacterial community as a valuable indicator of soil quality and function, has been widespread studied. However, little knowledge is about the response of bacterial communities to plant–plant interaction and different fertilizers during secondary forest succession. Methods: We conducted a field pot experiment applying organic and inorganic fertilizers to monocultures and mixed cultures of dominant plant species from mid- to late-successional stages (Salix oritrepha, Betula albosinensis, and Picea asperata), and investigated the responses of plant growth and rhizosphere bacterial communities. Results and discussion: Results indicated that growth rate of plant height varied among plant species, but no significant differences were observed in soil bacterial diversity and composition among plant species or inter-specific interactions under control. Compared to control, inorganic fertilizer resulted in increases in plant growth and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Patescibacteria, Bacteroidetes and Gemmatimonadetes, while simultaneously leading to decrease in the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Rokubacteria and Planctomycetes. When grown with other species, the bacterial communities in the mixture resembled those of S. oritrepha in singular monoculture under inorganic fertilizer treatment, but plant growth was not affected by interspecific interaction. Unlike inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer significantly affected bacterial communities and increased bacterial diversity, but did not alter the effects of plant–plant interactions on bacterial communities. It was also observed that organic fertilizer facilitated later successional species’ growth (P. asperata and B. albosinensis) by the mid-successional species (S. oritrepha), ultimately facilitating secondary forest succession. In addition, plants at different successional stages harbor specific bacterial communities to affect their growth, and the bacterial communities contributed more than soil properties to the variations in the plant growth of S. oritrepha and P. asperata though the bacterial communities were regulated by soil factors. This finding highlights the significance of the rhizosphere bacteria on plant growth and plant community succession. It also emphasize the importance of considering both plant–plant interactions and diverse fertilizer types in forest restoration efforts and provide valuable insights into optimizing agronomic practices for secondary forest succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-cigarettes have gained notable popularity among youth in recent years, posing a serious societal issue that has elicited much concern from public health professionals and legislators. The increase in e-cigarette consumption among adolescents can be ascribed to assertive marketing strategies employed by corporations that focus on appealing to young consumers through flavored offerings and aesthetically pleasing designs. This rise is concerning because of the possible long-term health ramifications linked to vaping, such as nicotine addiction and exposure to hazardous chemicals found in numerous e-cigarette formulations. The normalization of e-cigarette usage in social contexts may result in heightened peer pressure and the endorsement of detrimental conduct. To properly address this issue, government agencies must enforce stronger rules on e-cigarette sales and marketing directed at minors, while schools and community organizations should educate youth about the risks of vaping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A rebound in antibiotic consumption has been observed in the European community at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we evaluate the extent of this increase, when it exactly occurred, and how the seasonality in antibiotic use changed during the late-pandemic period. Methods: Data on community antibiotic consumption were available from the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption Network for 28 European countries between 2015 and 2022. Antibiotic consumption was expressed as defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). The evolution in antibiotic use was investigated using non-linear changepoint mixed models for quarterly and yearly data. Results: An increase in overall antibiotic consumption was found in Europe between 2021 and 2022, mainly due to an increase in the consumption of penicillins, macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins, and other β-lactam antibacterials. The analysis of quarterly data estimated a gradual increase in overall antibiotic consumption of 0.55 DID per quarter, as of the second quarter of 2020 and a decrease in seasonal variation of 1.64 DID between the first and second quarter of 2020. The changepoint analysis of yearly data estimated an increase of 3.33 DID in overall antibiotic consumption between 2021 and 2022. Conclusions: A gradual but significant rebound in the use of antibiotics was found in Europe, along with a decrease in its seasonal variation. The rapid rise in antibiotic consumption above pre-pandemic levels in several countries underlines the importance of continued antimicrobial stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neuroscience is a young discipline and an expanding field of study and research. The number of neuroscience postgraduate courses has risen much more rapidly than in any other field of biomedical research. However, from a scholarship perspective, the master's experience has been understudied. This work focuses on the answers given by a group of neuroscience alumni, a rarely examined academic cohort, to a straightforward question: 'What is the most important lesson you learnt as a master's student?'. Methods: Thematic analysis was performed on 27 entries hosted by a public-facing blog of a STEM-intense university across four academic years. Results: Four themes emerged: Skills, Theoretical knowledge, Attitudes and Community. Beyond replicating previous findings on the importance of skills and theoretical knowledge, an 'imbalance' between them has been reported for the first time. What emerges in our work is the overwhelming importance the alumni place in attitudes, especially resilience, and in the social/community aspects of learning, along with the role played by fellow students, faculty and laboratory colleagues. Discussion: The master's level can be the ideal one for increasing awareness of resilience and learning how to make the most of it. Institutions should consider strategies for strengthening informal learning and supporting the development of professional identities. These findings can be of interest to a wide range of neuroscience educators and provide useful insights for designing effective postgraduate training courses. Future works can investigate the how beyond the what and explore the roles played by attitudes, emotions and feelings across neuroscientists' career stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community-based eating disorder (ED) treatment frequently includes manualized group-based psychoeducation facilitated by a mental health clinician. Body Brave, a non-profit ED organization, developed a novel, participant-guided, community-based virtual healthcare provider (HCP)-facilitated support program called On the Journey (OtJ). The program was designed for people with longstanding EDs who had previously participated in group or individual ED programs but require continued support in their recovery. The purpose of the study was to describe the development and components of OtJ and to understand participant perceptions of the program and its effect on their recovery. Methods: Using a formative and community-engaged research design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with three OtJ facilitators and focus groups with twelve OtJ clients. Transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-stage approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes were generated from the data (1) "Designing and Evolving OtJ" (2) "Is OtJ a Treatment or Support Group?" (3) "Fostering a Safe Environment throughout Program Delivery" and (4) "The Power of Lived Experience." Clients noted several strengths of the OtJ program: fostering a sense of community, valuing client autonomy, and providing accessible ED support. Conclusions: Key considerations for other organizations looking to offer programming similar to OtJ include having skilled and clinically trained facilitators and prescreening discussion topics to ensure that conversations are productive towards recovery. OtJ supports people with longstanding EDs, and other organizations could consider adopting a similar model of care. This study contributes to the growing body of including lived ED experience in research. Plain language summary: On the Journey (OtJ) is a community-based eating disorder (ED) support program that is facilitated by healthcare providers. It was created by Body Brave, a non-profit organization from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This program is for people who have had an ED for at least two years and want low barrier support from a qualified clinician and others facing similar struggles as they continue to recover. This study describes the creation and implementation of OtJ and describes themes from interviews of clinicians and focus groups with clients of the program. Four main themes were identified (1) "Designing and Evolving OtJ" (2) "Is OtJ a Treatment or Support Group?" (3) "Fostering a Safe Environment throughout Program Delivery" and (4) "The Power of Lived Experience." Other ED organizations could consider implementing a similar program for their clients with longstanding EDs looking who are seeking accessible support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, science communication efforts have focused increasingly on sharing research findings with a broader audience. Since its creation in 2010, Science on Tap (SoT) has realized this goal by recruiting scientific professionals from diverse disciplines to share their latest research findings with the general public in a laidback pub or brewery setting to bridge the gap between perceived "ivory tower" knowledge and public perception. In the past decade, local SoT chapters have been created across the world, including our own program started in 2022 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, to act as these science boundary spanners. To gauge interest and increase the relevancy of our program, we conducted a descriptive survey of our SoT attendees and received 50 responses. Results indicate that attendees have learned a fair amount of new knowledge from these talks and are primarily drawn in by the topic and speaker. Participants are especially engaged in locally relevant topics such as environmental issues and report the highest enjoyment from learning new information in a relaxed brewery atmosphere. In sum, topics and location have helped our program to be an effective science communication boundary spanner in this community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the dynamic of sibling relations affect researching and dissemination of research findings? How can we best capture the unfolding of this dimension in researching? We discuss these questions via the description of a community event where the siblings were directly implicated and an "emotional episode" arose leading to humor in one sense but also stress on the other as the younger sibling struggled to intervene and interrupt his older brother's presentation. We discuss and analyze this "key emotional episode" by placing it in the cultural upbringing of the siblings involved in the study as well as co-authors' reactions to the same episode. We conclude by stating the necessity to know your audience and the approach most conducive to fit the culture of community engagement. Further, we argue that in this time when so much emphasis is placed on team research, we know so much about the academic credentials and skills of our project team members, but little about their personal upbringing and how this can influence relationships and interpretations of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of frugal innovation has gained significant traction in low middle-income countries due to its potential to contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study examines the role of universities in promoting frugal innovation and their capacity to drive socio-economic development through entrepreneurial initiatives. The objective is to explore how universities can serve as both entrepreneurial and development-focused institutions and to develop a conceptual framework to guide their efforts. The study utilizes an exploratory single case study methodology, focusing on the American University of Nigeria (AUN), a leading institution in Nigeria known for its development and entrepreneurship programs. Drawing on data from the AUN THE global impact ranking 2024, the results of the study indicate that the ability of a university to effectively manage technology and skills transfer in frugal innovations is influenced by six university capabilities, and the generation of frugal innovations is moderated by policy and innovation ecosystems involving government agencies, regulatory bodies, and policymakers. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by initiating a discussion on how development and entrepreneurship can support frugal innovation, and offers practical insights to inspire other universities to develop their own models for societal and economic impact. The study underscores the necessity of integrating "development" into the vision of universities, particularly in low middle-income and developing economies, and emphasizes the significance of universities embracing both entrepreneurial and development-focused roles. The findings highlight the potential of universities in advancing sustainable development goals, particularly in low middle-income and developing economies, as they work towards meeting the global SDGs by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This configurative review explores how nurturing and enacting a communityoriented praxis (COP) in teacher education can enhance teacher candidates' preparedness for teaching roles whilst addressing some broader educational and societal concerns. Here, CoP is defined as practices that consider, connect with, and draw on local community strengths, needs, and aspirations for the good of individuals, communities, and society more broadly. We review 31 cases in 37 articles on explicitly community-oriented teacher education (COTE) initiatives from nine country contexts where teacher educators, school-based mentors, and members of local communities collaboratively facilitate the learning experiences of participants in teacher education (i.e., teacher candidates). An analysis of the motivations, processes, and outcomes of the initiatives in the COTE cases highlights benefits such as developing teacher candidates' pedagogical content knowledge and research competence; fostering social justice consciousness and critical action; and facilitating the sustainable recruitment and retention of teachers especially in marginalised contexts. Implications and possible directions for teacher education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loneliness has been identified as a significant independent predictor of depression among older adults. Social support has been reported to play a protective role against both loneliness and depression in older adults. However, few studies to date have investigated the three constructs concurrently and the mediating role of Perceived Social Support (PSS) on the relationship between loneliness and depression in this age group. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between loneliness and depression among community-dwelling Nepalese older adults based on the mediating role of PSS. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional research study included 367 community-dwelling older adults from a randomly selected ward in Kathmandu, Nepal. The University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. Correlation analysis, regression analysis, and the PROCESS 4.1 macro developed by Hayes with a bootstrapping procedure were used to test the mediating effect of the PSS on the relationship between loneliness and depression. Results: Loneliness was negatively associated with the PSS (β = -0.405; 95% CI: −0.473, -0.337; P < 0.001), and the PSS was positively associated with depression (β = 0.057; 95% CI: 0.014, 0.099; P = 0.009). The direct effect of loneliness on depression was positive and significant (β = 0.151; 95% CI: 0.117, 0.184; P < 0.001), whereas the indirect effect of loneliness on depression through the PSS was negative (path c; β = -0.023, 95% CI: -0.041, -0.005). The results indicated that the PSS partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and depression. Conclusion: These findings suggest that interventions focusing on reducing loneliness and fostering social support may be able to lessen depressive symptoms in older adults. By addressing these factors, healthcare providers and carers can promote the mental health of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]